[Closed] I watch the ripples change their size

[spiritwalks]

Who: Vyng spiritwalks and Obi-Wan jedies
What: A lowkey lakeside jaunt
When: Sometime toward the end of April
Where: Salt Lake in Trenchwood

Content Warnings: Listed in subject lines when applicable



[As they make their decent toward the shores of the Salt Lake, Cloudpiercer raises his body upward. With a mighty whoosh! whoosh! whoosh! of his wings to slow down, his talons spread out, and he seamlessly glides into a landing. The transition is as natural and smooth as any wild animal's touch-down onto solid ground. Vyng doesn't "steer" or give any vocal commands, instead trusting the thunderbird to act autonomously.

Once Cloudpiercer settles down and tucks his wings back against his sides, Vyng gently releases the tuft of feathers at the back of his friend's neck.

"Thanks, buddy," he murmurs, sharing his gratitude through their spiritual connection. Cloudpiercer clicks his beak in acknowledgment — fully aware he's doing his druid companion a solid, but glad to help regardless.

Only then does Vyng look back at Obi-Wan with a rakish grin.]

Enjoy the ride?

Comments

[jedies]

No, I don't believe you did.

[spiritwalks]

It was my Winter Walk. I was supposed to spend a month alone on a frozen tundra. Just me, the land, and whatever I could carry.

[jedies]

[ dryly. ]

That sounds like one of our Jedi trials.

[spiritwalks]

For real?

[jedies]

We're expected to perfect our survival skills.

[spiritwalks]

Makes sense. You probably spent years honing all the skills needed to survive out in the wild, huh.

[jedies]

Mmm. And Qui-Gon took that very seriously.

[spiritwalks]

Your master?

[jedies]

Yes. The one I studied directly under. He loved nature so he would make us do regular survival trips.

[spiritwalks]

I know how that is. My mom made sure to teach me everything she knew about the wild...and my kid self nearly got his ass handed to him a couple of times.

[jedies]

Yes, that sounds about right.

I think I fell into a pit of fire-ants.

[spiritwalks]

[Vyng winces, but there's still a glint of amusement in his eyes.]

I almost got trampled by a herd of caribou.

[jedies]

Near death experiences do seem to be a part of it.

[spiritwalks]

Because those are the lessons that stick with us. Like ants in our pants.

[jedies]

I suppose you can't discount a successful teaching method.

[spiritwalks]

That's free-range parenting for ya'.

[Which is basically how he's been raising Billie. Not neglectful or uninvolved by any means. Rather, Vyng does his best to nurture his kid's personal autonomy and independence, while also remaining close enough to help if needed.]

[jedies]

Is that what we're calling it?

[spiritwalks]

Works fine for chickens.

And I survived my Winter Walk without any problems, so. Even if I technically failed the challenge, at least I still managed to learn a thing or two from the best of them.

[jedies]

We learn best from our mistakes.

[spiritwalks]

True. And the thing I learned was: Don't plan.

[jedies]

[ obi-wan huffs. ]

You needed to learn that?

[spiritwalks]

Hey, I've always been an idiot. But back then, I was also a shitty teenager who thought he knew everything because he read a book.

[jedies]

When I was a teenager, I was handling civil wars and interplanetary conflicts.

[spiritwalks]

Yeah, alright. We get it, Mister Fire-Pants. You had a more exciting childhood than the plebs stuck in some frozen fishing village.

[Vyng jerks his thumb toward the shimmering water.]

Here's a pop quiz for you. Can you name the mushrooms growing along the shore over there?

[jedies]

I can't say that I do.